Hi everyone! I'm Yehalah and I'm a '26 coming all the way from Colombo, Sri Lanka. My academic passions lie in Energy Engineering and Environmental Studies. I am a first-generation and low-income student, actively involved with the community. I love to paint and read during my free time. I'm excited that you're here, and I hope you enjoy this account of my life at Dartmouth!
Taking an art class has long been a dream of mine. Drawing 1 with Professor Enrico Riley exceeded my expectations greatly! He is an inspiring instructor who allowed us creative freedom, while guiding us in the right direction. We drew in different forms of charcoal, with colour introduced towards the end of the term. I loved my experience and I cannot wait to take another Studio Art class!
The sequel to Drawing 1 with Professor Enrico Riley! We worked in oil paint, which I was completely new to and admittedly afraid to use. I ended up falling in love with the medium and the flexibility it gave me to adjust and refine my paintings at any point in the process. I am sad to finish this class and I hope I get to take another Studio Art class in the future!
Moving to America was a drastic adjustment, especially considering the difference in perception of race and ethnicity. This class gave me a insight into past and current American oppression against Black and Indigenous communities. I loved how much I learnt through this class, which was also my First Year Seminar requirement.
My first language class at Dartmouth! Taking German was intimidating, especially because of the fast-paced and rigorous learning method that Dartmouth uses. It was so interesting to learn the different grammar and rules used in the German language. I cannot wait to use my Beginner German skills in Berlin next Spring!
The Sacred Architecture of Asia is one of the most incredible courses I have taken at Dartmouth! The course is primarily discussion-based, with Professor Seher explaining and initiating conversation about the course material. The material assigned was incredibly inspiring and taught me so much about South Asian religions and their beginnings. Everywhere I travel now, I think about the lessons I have learnt in this class and I am truly grateful to Professor Seher for facilitating an incredible learning experience!
Learning about German history in Berlin was a great way to explore the city and culture! The class had weekly excursions where we visited important sites in Berlin, which was so informative and helpful. Overall, I learnt so many new aspects of Germany and the people who played a significant role in German history.
SummerPerrysburg, Ohio
Interning at First Solar, a solar panel manufacturing company! I work on the Application Engineering team under Product Management, developing ways to better serve our clients and enhance our products. It has been an amazing experience so far, I have learnt so much and I am so grateful for this opportunity!
Family Weekend at Dartmouth is where the families of first-year students and seniors get to visit campus and tour important places for the entire weekend! Of course, a lot of families may not be able to visit for many reasons. In light of this, the First Generation Office (FGO) organized many weekend student activities!
One of these activities was apple picking at Patch Orchard, a maple syrup and apple orchard in Lebanon, New Hampshire! We took a 20-minute bus ride at 10 am and arrived just as fog lifted from the mountains. The entire trip, for 48 students, was sponsored by the FGO, including a bag of apples, cider, and a doughnut!
Some of the delicious apples we encountered!
The orchard boasts rows and rows of apple trees of different varieties, such as Fuji and Honeycrisp. My personal favorite was the Honeycrisp variety. I had a great time picking all the different types of apples. I was once again reminded how differently I had pictured apple trees before I came to Dartmouth (having never seen an apple orchard before).
Me admiring this particular tree!
Afterward, we explored the grounds and took pictures against the scenic backdrop of rolling hills. They even had a corn maze! Later that evening, the First Generation Office hosted a screening of "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and a card-writing session for students to mail cards to their loved ones. The First Generation Office is always organizing events like these to foster community and ensure students can experience the beauty of a New Hampshire Fall. The office is at 9 Maynard Street across the McLaughlin dorms if you ever want to stop by!
I applied through Questbridge's National College Match, but did not match. To others who also did not match, this is not the end of your application process! Here's what I did following match decision day.
Walking around the Wellelsey campus, it's clear that it was built with intentional incorporation of the surrounding nature. The architecture of many buildings were also mindfully crafted to support Wellesley's unique principles.
